Trinidad and Tobago Health Insurance

Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelago country in the Caribbean Sea that is made up of two primary islands – Trinidad and Tobago. This developing country is just 11 kilometers east of Venezuela and also borders Barbados and Guyana. About 96 percent of the country’s almost 1.3 million people live on Trinidad with the rest residing on Tobago. Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians and Afro-Trinidadians and Tobagonians are the two largest ethnic groups, accounting for about 80 percent of the population. The rest of the population is made up of people of mixed race, Europeans, Chinese and other nationalities. Thanks to the flourishing petroleum and natural gas industries, Trinidad and Tobago is one of the more well off countries in the Caribbean. These industries make up a large portion of the country’s economy, followed by tourism and manufacturing. Despite the nation’s economic improvements the country’s population growth rate is low at - .087 percent annually, ranking 204 out of 230 countries worldwide.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Care System and Medical Insurance

Trinidad and Tobago’s health profile is pretty standard compared to other countries in the region and the people are generally healthy overall. Men’s life expectancy is aproximately 66 years of age, a few years below the regional average and on par with the global average. Meanwhile, women’s life expectancy is 75 years old, which is also slightly lower than the regional average but higher than the global average. The infant mortality rate stands at just more than 27 deaths per 1,000 births. Obesity rates are also fairly standard for the region with just 21.6 percent of men ranking as obese, lower than the regional average. Obesity is more common in women, with about 38 percent of women reported to be obese, about 8 percentage points higher than the regional average, according to the World Health Organization.

As the country continues to develop economically, healthcare services and the quality of care continue to improve. The country’s total expenditure on health per capita was US$ 1,733 in 2009, with total expenditure on health as percent of GDP at 5.6 percent. While the total expenditure on health per capita is lower than the regional average, this amount has increased steadily during the past decade.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Health (MoH) oversees the country’s healthcare system by establishing policies, ensuring the facilities are properly run, allocating funds and setting goals and targets. They do not, however, operate the health facilities, and instead created Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) to own and run the healthcare facilities and hospitals in each respective region of the country. There are five RHAs, with most located on Trinidad and one on Tobago. While public healthcare is free for its citizens and residents, there are both public and private healthcare facilities on both islands. Yet the private sector remains limited in both the number of facilities and levels of care provided. All are under jurisdiction of the MoH and RHAs.

Trinidad and Tobago Health Insurance

Trinidad and Tobago has about 138 health care facilities, but the level of care may vary. Most of the major hospitals are located on the island of Trinidad. The country’s main hospital is the Port of Spain General Hospital, which is in the capital city of Port of Spain and also serves as a major trauma center in the Caribbean. Other major hospitals include San Fernando General Hospital, Sangre Grande General Hospital, Port Fortin Hospital and Mount Hope General Hospital. There are only four privately owned hospitals in the country, including nursing facilities. The four private facilities are Nicoll Nursing Home, Southern Medical Clinic, Langmore Health Foundation, and the Adventist Hospital. All of these facilities are on Trinidad and are either in the capital or in San Fernando.

The country may be one of the more prosperous countries in the region, but there are still some concerns for travelers to the country. While there are both public and private options available for healthcare, the standards found at these facilities are generally below the standards of more developed countries. For serious illnesses or injuries, those seeking treatment at a public facility may find that medicine and supplies could be in short supply. It’s also not uncommon for those seeking treatment at a private facility to prove that they can pay before receiving care. Ambulance service and care is also substandard, as there are a limited number of vehicles and many lack life-saving equipment. For emergency situations, it may be best to seek treatment in another country, so its recommended that travelers have international medical insurance that will cover the costs of medical evacuation. Visitors should also be advised that if a patient at a facility in Trinidad and Tobago is in need of a blood transfusion, they are expected to organize for the same amount to be donated at the facility.

Trinidad and Tobago Travel Concerns

The country’s booming economy has brought an increasing number of expatriate workers and its tropical climate and nice beaches attract a growing number of tourists every year. Just as with traveling to any overseas country, be sure to check with your doctor or a travel medicine expert to check that you don’t need any special immunizations or vaccines. The CDC does recommend that travelers to Trinidad and Tobago be up to date with routine, Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid vaccinations. Visitors are also required to have a vaccination for Yellow Fever. As with many Caribbean islands, Dengue Fever and other insect-borne illnesses do occur, so it is advisable to take the necessary precautions to prevent insect bites. Travelers are also encouraged to drink only bottled water or properly clean tap water by using iodine tablets or by boiling the water.

Trinidad and Tobago Expat Medical Insurance

Even though Trinidad and Tobago has made significant strides in the past few decades to improve the local economy and better the healthcare available to its citizens and residents, travelers to the country should still be sure that they are adequately insured prior to travel. Expat Medical Insurance can help take care of the international health insurance needs of you, your loved ones and your employees. Our representatives can help get you started to better coverage and are available around the clock, so contact Expat Medical Insurance to receive your free quote.